Had this been born to shield The cause which Cromwell's impious hand betray'd, Or that, like Vere, display'd His redcross banner o'er the Belgian field; Yet where the will divine Hath shut those loftiest paths, it next remains, With reason clad in strains Of harmony, selected minds to inspire, And virtue's living fire To feed and eternise in hearts like thine. II.--3. For never shall the herd, whom envy sways, So quell my purpose or my tongue control, That I should fear illustrious worth to praise, Because its master's friendship moved my soul. Yet, if this undissembling strain Should now perhaps thine ear detain With any pleasing sound, Remember thou that righteous Fame From hoary age a strict account will claim Of each auspicious palm with which thy youth was crown'd. III.--1. Nor obvious is the way Where heaven expects thee nor the traveller leads; Through flowers or fragrant meads, Or groves that hark to Philomela's lay. The impartial laws of fate To nobler virtues wed severer cares. Is there a man who shares The summit next where heavenly natures dwell? Ask him (for he can tell) What storms beat round that rough laborious height. III.--2. Ye heroes, who of old Did generous England Freedom's throne ordain; From Alfred's parent reign To Nassau, great deliverer, wise and bold; I know your perils hard, Your wounds, your painful marches, wintry seas, The night estranged from ease, The day by cowardice and falsehood vex'd, The head with doubt perplex'd, The indignant heart disdaining the reward, III.--3. Which envy hardly grants. But, O renown, O praise from judging heaven and virtuous men, If thus they purchased thy divinest crown, Say, who shall hesitate, or who complain? And now they sit on thrones above: And when among the gods they move Before the Sovereign Mind, 'Lo, these,' he saith, 'lo, these are they Who to the laws of mine eternal sway From violence and fear asserted human kind.' IV.--1. Thus honour'd while the train Of legislators in his presence dwell; If I may aught foretell, The statesman shall the second palm obtain. For dreadful deeds of arms Let vulgar bards, with undiscerning praise, More glittering trophies raise: But wisest Heaven what deeds may chiefly move To favour and to love? What, save wide blessings, or averted harms? IV.--2.